With the rainy season approaching in many parts of South Africa, one of the things we need to be prepared for is the termite season that follows. Rentokil often sees an increase of up to 30% in termite service requests during heavy rainfalls of customers needing help with getting rid of termites.
Termite infestations
Termites are known to be one of the most financially destructive pests that you could encounter, which is surprising given that we hardly ever see them out in the open. But their label as the most expensive pest is due to the fact that they can cause extensive structural damage should you suffer an infestation.
Early signs of termites
Unfortunately, most people don’t know whether they have a termite problem or not, and by the time you spot signs, it’s a clear indication that the problem is severe. This is largely because termites are notoriously hard to detect and almost always need a professional pest control specialist to identify signs of their presence. This is the main reason why regular termite inspections by an expert are so important.
There are various different species of termites in South Africa but only a handful cause problems to properties:
- Neotermes spp (Dampwood Termites)
- Coptotermes spp (Subterranean Termites)
- Cryptotermes spp. (native) (Drywood Termites)
Of the above, it is the Coptotermes and Cryptotermes species that are the termites that cause the most damage. Watch our video on the different types of termite species:
Termite treatments
Termite treatments are available in a range of different options and should be chosen according to the termites native to your province.
The first step to treating any termite problem you might have is contacting a professional pest control company that will:
- Correctly identify the signs of a termite problem
- Provide you with information about termite prevention
- Advise you on the correct course of treatment to get rid of or prevent termites on your premises.
1. Termite barriers
When constructing a new building it is advisable that you apply a termite barrier to your premises. You can find more about the importance of design-build in relation to termites in our previous blog: How to save your home from termites. Here are 2 different termite barrier techniques:
a) Chemical termite barriers
Chemical termite barriers involve the use of a liquid chemical substance that’s added to the soil, under the concrete flooring, and/or around the perimeter of your house or business. This chemical deters termites from approaching and entering your premises.
The advantages of this method are that it’s unobtrusive – treatment is mainly done on the exterior of your property and it is more environmentally friendly as less material is required.
b) Termite pre-construction barriers
Much like the chemical barrier method, the Termite pre-construction method involves treating the soil with termiticide during the construction phase of a building to prevent termites from entering the property.
2. Termite baiting
Termite baiting refers to a method that involves applying bait stations to areas that are identified as termite hot spots. This then prevents them from seeking out your building as a source of food. The benefits of termite baiting are:
- Unobtrusive – It does not change the appearance of your building.
- Non-disruptive – No drilling is required when applying the termite control method.
3. Conventional Termite Treatment
Sometimes termite barrier and termite baiting solutions may not be available. In this case the conventional route of termite control has to be taken to help manage your termite problem.
Termite treatments consist of applying a liquid termiticide treatment to areas of your building prone to termite activity. In some cases, some drilling is involved to get to said hot spots. Rest assured, these holes will be filled in once the treatment is complete.
DIY termite control
When it comes to termite treatment you should always seek a professional’s help. We do not recommend that you try to fix the problem yourself. One mistake and you could subject your home to an increase in termite damage, a result that you can’t undo.
However, there are some DIY termite control options you can try at home which focus on the prevention. These involve simple tricks and tips which will help keep your home safe from termite damage.
Please note these are only small prevention techniques that could save you from a termite problem but they aren’t a guaranteed fix. If you are worried about termites, please be sure to seek the help of a professional pest control expert.
DIY tips for preventing a termite infestation:
- Remove or keep wood away: Ensure that wood is removed or kept as far away from your building as possible, be it firewood or old tree stumps and broken branches, as these provide excellent nesting areas for termites.
- Repair damaged roofing: Broken roof tiles provide termites with easy access to your building. Make sure any broken or damaged tiles are replaced.
- Repair cracks in foundations: Just like damaged roof tiles, cracks in the foundations of your building provide a gateway for termites to enter. Making sure you repair any damage to the foundations and/or walls of your building to help prevent an infestation.
- Leaking pipes: Termites love damp areas, so check your pipes (inside and out) regularly for leakage and damage, and repair if necessary to keep termites at bay.
If you suspect that you may have a termite problem, and need help to get rid of termites, contact Rentokil today for a free survey.
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